Portsmouth goal-scorer provides timely injury boost ahead of new Championship campaign
Thomas Waddingham netted in Pompey’s 3-1 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.
Thomas Waddingham is confident he can put his Pompey injury woes firmly behind him.
And the Aussie is now looking to make his mark on the Championship after last season’s fitness struggles.
It was a much-needed run-out for Waddingham, who had missed both Aldershot and Bristol Rovers as Pompey continued to manage his minutes at fitness.
That was after a bitterly-disappointing campaign on the south coast last term, which saw the former Brisbane Roar man amass just seven league appearances.
The January 2025 arrival missed more six months with a quad issue, initially sustained in training during the September international break.
Waddingham returned to the fold in April, featuring in the Blues’ two Championship matches - both from the bench.
Pompey striker provides timely injury boost
But the 21-year-old is looking to put those injury issues firmly behind him and has stressed he is now ‘fully fit’ heading into the new season, which gets underway with a trip to West Ham in the Carabao Cup on August 8.
The Aussie told The News: ‘That is my focus currently is just about trying to get fit and also play as much as I can.
‘Obviously in pre-season I can get good minutes to put my best foot forward so I can play more minutes in the Championship this season.
‘I’m all good, all fully fit now. Hopefully that means I can stay fit and we’re definitely working on that to try and stay fit the whole season.
‘Hopefully we can go from there and keep pushing. Yeah I’d say so (his main injury issues). We know the things we can work on and just have to go from there.’
‘I just have to keep pushing for my spot. That’s the main thing. That’s the main thing, the main goal is to help the team as much as possible and fight for my spot.’
Thomas Waddingham’s goal-scoring ambitions for season
Despite missing the Blues’ previous two friendlies as the club managed his workload, Waddingham has featured in two of their four pre-season fixtures.
The striker’s powerful header against Wycombe represented his second strike in two matches and is now looking to take his form and confidence into the new campaign.
‘First of all, goals. Showing that in pre-season I can score goals but just being a part of it is important.
‘I get confidence from all the staff helping me and all the players as well.
‘Being in this environment helps my confidence on the pitch and hopefully I can keep adding these goals in the league.’